Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg will miss a scheduled appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on NBC. Here’s why.
Cooper Flagg Will Miss “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”
Dallas Mavericks rising star Cooper Flagg was slated to take another step into the national spotlight, with a scheduled appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Flagg’s appearance showed that the Mavericks prepared for more than just a road game at the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
A blizzard in New York City shifted those plans between Flagg, 19, and Fallon, 51, as severe winter weather has halted air travel throughout the East Coast. Dallas was no exception. Dallas’ travel complications added to an unexpected shift amid his attention-grabbing rookie year.
The Dallas Hoops Journal’s Grant Afseth reported on X, formerly Twitter, “The Dallas Mavericks now plan to stay overnight in Indianapolis ahead of Tuesday’s game in Brooklyn against the Nets. More info will be on @DALHoopsJournal as updates occur.”
Afseth followed up with, “Another note: Cooper Flagg will no longer appear on The Jimmy Fallon Show as a result of the Dallas Mavericks’ travel complications.”
Cooper Flagg’s Outlook
Flagg’s outlook appears to be a mixed bag. Flagg’s left midfoot sprain has sidelined him since he sustained the injury against the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 10. His injury status remains uncertain, but he’s currently listed as day-to-day.
Flagg averaged 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, while shooting 48.2% from the field, 30.2% from the three-point range, and 80.4% from the free-throw line, before sustaining the injury.
Although not exactly back yet, his presence remains strong in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He was spotted learning the ins and outs of the game from the sidelines in a recent Dallas Mavericks social media post that mentioned the 19-year-old as a “student of the game.”
He was also spotted at the Indianapolis-based card shop, Indy Card Exchange, to show some love to fans. He spent $7,000 on Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel’s rookie cards during the high-profile visit.
Flagg and Knueppel, 20, weren’t only teammates at Duke University but also roommates, so “the Brotherhood” has always been strong on and off the court.
Flagg’s missed national television appearance would’ve marked another milestone for his rapid ascension in the NBA and beyond. He was drafted with the first overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft after just one season at Duke and quickly became the centerpiece of the Dallas Mavericks’ offense.
Dallas Mavericks’ Outlook
Despite all the trials and tribulations, the Dallas Mavericks’ outlook appears to be optimistic. Flagg has been recovering from a left midfoot sprain since Feb. 10, but Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd told the media before the 2026 NBA All-Star Break that he has progressed out of a walking boot and resumed light workouts under day-to-day evaluations.
Right now, Flagg’s return to the court and late-night talk show debut are both paused. The Mavericks will monitor the weather conditions ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, while he continues to make his presence known in the NBA.
If the Mavericks take on the Nets, Dallas can use strong team performances, along with key players’ contributions, to potentially beat Brooklyn. Dallas’ potential win over a lowly Brooklyn squad is possible, but Dallas can’t take Brooklyn’s poor record with a grain of salt. Brooklyn’s defensive strengths have the potential to exploit Dallas’ weaknesses.
